6 kidnapped people freed from rebels' captivity near Damascus

DAMASCUS, March 26 (Xinhua) -- A total of six people were set free on Monday night from the rebels' captivity in the capital Damascus' Eastern Ghouta, state news agency SANA reported.

The state news agency revealed the names of the newly-released people from the town of Arbeen in Eastern Ghouta, as part of a deal reached recently for the rebels' evacuation from areas in the central part of Eastern Ghouta.

The deal also demands the rebels to set free people they have previously kidnapped.

The abductees were brought in ambulances to the government-controlled Panorama on the outskirts of Arbeen.

SANA added that work is ongoing for the release of more people.

This is the second batch of kidnapped people to be released, just two days after eight people were released from the rebels' custody in Arbeen.

Meanwhile, SANA said the third batch of rebels is preparing to leave Eastern Ghouta through Arbeen toward rebel-held areas in northern Syria after thousands have evacuated over the past two days. Enditem